News about Faculty & Staff

As if the industrious fulfillment of her proud Pennsylvania College of Technology days isn’t a sufficient bequest, Kate M. Ruggiero punctuated her academic performance with a larger-than-life mic drop: impressively taking the lead in repainting a single-engine Cessna 175C airplane donated to the Lumley Aviation Center eight years ago.

Ruggiero earned an associate degree in aviation technology from Penn College in December, crossing the stage in a COVID-delayed ceremony on May 15, and will move from Easton to Michigan in early July to start a job as an aircraft paint specialist – working on corporate and private jets for Duncan Aviation in Battle Creek.

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The Otto Bookstore in downtown Williamsport is hosting a book signing featuring Pennsylvania College of Technology employees and recent authors Megan E. Rogers and Thomas F. Speicher on Saturday, June 26, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

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For some, retirement is a time for rest and relaxation. For Lisa Bock, it’s a time for writing books and giving back to her field.

Bock recently authored her third book and second since retiring in May 2020 from a 17-year teaching career at Pennsylvania College of Technology. “Modern Cryptography for Cybersecurity Professionals” is the latest offering from the former associate professor of computer information technology.

Intended for IT managers, security professionals, teachers and students, the 286-page book focuses on how to implement cryptographic techniques to reduce the risk of altered, disclosed or stolen data.

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Thomas E. Ask, industrial design professor, tackles some of the most-asked online questions about this innovative and interdisciplinary career path in an informative video recently added to the college’s YouTube channel. Whether it’s a new product or a fresh twist on an old design, you’ll learn how to bring design ideas to life. “Industrial design is a good major if you’re a creative person that likes to create something from nothing,” he says. “If you like to take your ideas and see them come to fruition, industrial design is good for that.”

More than a half-dozen Pre-College Programs attracted a knowledge-hungry host of teenagers to Penn College’s campuses in recent days, the season opener for high schoolers’ exposure to next-level academics. Campers were engaged and enlightened among the week’s bountiful offerings: Architecture Odyssey, Automotive, Aviation, Engineering, Future Restaurateurs, Health Careers and Information Technology. A second week – inviting more students to test the waters of collegiate opportunity through hands-on learning – will begin July 18.

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Passionate professionals looking to share their time-tested proficiency in a fresh and rewarding venue need travel no farther than Penn College, where a new video encourages potential faculty members to help develop the very future of their respective fields.

The seven-minute video, the handiwork of writer/producer Tom Speicher, reflects a series of five-year institutional initiatives. It features footage of the college’s inviting environment, as well as interviews with some of the faculty and administrators who enhance their campus surroundings through fervent daily contributions.

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Tic-tac-toe! A caterpillar! Waves! Those were some of the imaginative observations made by the “Summer Bunch” from the Dunham Children’s Learning Center on their Wednesday morning visit to The Gallery at Penn College.

The 4- and 5-year-olds from Pennsylvania College of Technology’s early childhood care facility immersed themselves in the gallery’s current exhibit, “Textiles in Translation,” and engaged in a hands-on project assisted by CLC and gallery staff.

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A sale of surplus Residence Life items – featuring beds, desks and other used furniture from on-campus housing – will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday in the Rose Street Commons Courtyard. The first hour will be open to employees, students and retirees only; the general public will be admitted at 10 a.m. Transactions will be cash-only, and all items must be removed on the day of the sale. Additional information is available from Judi Barr, senior accountant in Financial Operations, or by consulting the event flyer: Surplus Property Sale

Author Megan E. Rogers, a Penn College employee, and sons Mason and Christopher were featured in a segment of WBRE’s “PA live!” on Monday afternoon. Co-hosts Haley Bianco and Christopher Bohinski interviewed the family about “Meet Mason,” a newly published and beautifully illustrated book designed to boost readers’ understanding of special needs and to help them discern the too-often-unseen similarities alongside those differences. “Even without vision, there’s still vision,” Megan said. “One of the things that Mason has taught me is to see things in a different way, without my eyes. To be able to see with my heart; something as simple as the sun shining on your face. When I see him smile, you appreciate that on a whole ‘nother level.” The book is available from Amazon in paperback ($15) and at a pair of local book-signings in the coming weeks: The Otto Bookstore on June 26 and at North Central Sight Services on July 18.

Two Pennsylvania College of Technology students and their professor recently shared their expertise as part of Pennsylvania Prevention Week 2021, which encourages citizens across the commonwealth to recognize the importance of substance abuse prevention as a priority for public health.

In an 18-minute video, students Alexandria M. George and Cydney L. Ginter and faculty member Elizabeth E. Winder discussed “Utilizing the PAYS in Higher Education.” The PAYS (Pennsylvania Youth Survey) is a survey of sixth, eighth, 10th and 12th grade students that gathers insights into young people’s behavior, attitudes and knowledge concerning alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and violence.

“I routinely use this survey to help my students better understand data-driven decision making and to help them understand how to prescribe evidence-based programs based on targeted, community need,” said Winder, assistant professor of human services and restorative justice.

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Public Relations & Marketing at Pennsylvania College of Technology took home gold, bronze and honorable mention recognition in the 2021 CUPPIE Awards sponsored by CUPRAP, College and University Public Relations and Associated Professionals.

The 14th annual CUPPIE Awards featured 357 entries from colleges, universities, agencies and providers of private, specialized and secondary education and accreditation. Penn College was honored for writing, video and magazine production efforts completed between Dec. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2020.

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Megan E. Rogers has preached to her son who is blind that there is nothing he can’t do; he just might have to discover a different way to do it.

For proof, she can point to herself.

The Pennsylvania College of Technology employee and single mom of two wasn’t blessed with writing experience, but that didn’t prevent her from authoring a recently published children’s book. For Rogers, maternal love proved more valuable than a background rooted in prose.

The result is “Meet Mason,” a 32-page illustrated book inspired by her 9-year-old son who has been blind since birth. The text – written from Mason’s perspective – and color illustrations of the youngster in various settings are designed to help kids relate to those who are blind or have other special needs.

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PCToday continues its regular feature – welcoming new full-time and regular part-time Pennsylvania College of Technology employees, as reported by the Human Resources Office.

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Penn College’s proven prominence in helping companies improve their employees’ skills through apprenticeship training is reflected in a new feature of the campus community’s blog. Laying the groundwork for a planned series of insightful posts, author Christopher P. Ray – Workforce Development’s executive director for business development – debuts with a definition of what separates the program from the myriad other “ships” in the workforce world.

The June 2 appearance by a member of Penn College’s faculty on WITF’s interactive “Smart Talk” radio program has been added to the Harrisburg public broadcasting station’s website. Christopher H. Van Stavoren, assistant professor of automotive technology, spoke with Scott LaMar during the second half of the episode (beginning at about the 26:30 mark) on the topic of “Understanding Electric Vehicle Technology.” He answered questions from the host and listeners about efficiency, infrastructure and cost, closing with confidence that Penn College automotive students leave campus well-equipped to handle all manner of vehicles: conventional, hybrid and electric. Van Stavoren – who teaches such courses as Automotive Electrical Fundamentals, Powertrain Electronics and Engine Electrical Systems – has served on the college faculty since 1999.